Happy New Year! This year will see a few changes to Aunt Polly's Doll Emporium, while there will still be some of the old favourites available, I will be concentrating on developing new doll patterns, quilt kits and some extra special art dolls...

Hmmm, haven't blogged in quite a while... it's been an extremely busy year! I'm hoping that next year will see me a little better organised  and maybe I'll even get a few days off... I can only hope!

chick, chick, chicken

And another cutie with her pet chicken, though she's going to need to hang on to it... looks like that chicken is leaving...

Wedding Day...

Been a little quiet on here lately, but I do have a good excuse.... I've been so busy preparing for my daughter's wedding. And what a beautiful wedding it was! I now have loads of happy memories to cherish and normal service will resume with lots of new dolls on the way!

Get Your Vouchers Here...

Special offer vouchers for my next two events! Simply print off a voucher and bring it with you to claim your 10% discount on my stall. Offer only valid for the places and dates shown on the voucher.

By the sea

Couldn't resist trying a couple of seascapes, it's amazing how with just a few colour changes you can change the whole atmosphere within a picture....

Scrap heaven...

Found a great way to use up my fabric scraps... been experimenting with these cute picture cushions... they're rather addictive to make...

 

Hare Raising...

It must seem a little strange to have these in the oven, but it's all part of the process! These calico hares have been stained with a coffee and spices mixture, then dried in the oven before having their button eyes, stitched noses and hanging loops added.

Shhhh...

My answer to the many requests for a doll suitable for little ones! This sleeping baby is quick and easy to make with no 'bits' that can come off and be swallowed! He's now available as a pattern in my Etsy shop.

Easter

Can't believe it's almost Easter... where is spring? Next week sees the annual Easter craft fair at Water's edge visitor centre... I have lots of new designs ready for this one!

Tried out a new spring bunny and discovered I quite enjoy experimenting with painting animal faces...still have a long way to go so I'll have to experiment some more (and I still can't do dogs!).

Special Giveaway!

I'm going to be offering a very special giveaway when my face book page reaches 1000 likes! This will be open to everyone to take part and there'll be a fabulous goody bag prize though haven't quite decided what's in it yet! You can find my facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aunt-Pollys-Doll-Emporium/212223992157081

Another new design completed! I couldn't resist making a couple of mermaids with the gorgeous sparkly fish scale design denim I found (don't know how long it's been in my stash, but it must have been a very long time!)

Hare raising...

Spring is on the way...well almost...we can but hope! So my latest design is a March Hare, made in calico then tea stained and hand stitched with button eyes and a loop for hanging.

Lil' Angels

The latest additions to my cat designs...these are my Raggedy Angel Cats. They're very sweet...and much better behaved than my delinquent 2 year old ragdoll Tia, who is tearing up and down the stairs at the moment!

Heart to heart..

Just completed my first wholesale order! These hand stitched felt hearts are on their way to a crafting colleague for her valentines sock monkeys, can't wait to see the finished product!

Finally finished this Jane Austen inspired Regency dress, it will be on it's way to Switzerland today! This is the last of my costumes for a while so I can concentrate on lots of new doll designs...I have a lots of new ranges coming and some patterns too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
My celebration comprised of a quiet evening at home launching my new website! Please pop over to www.auntpollysdollemporium.weebly.com and pay me a visit, I'll be adding lots of new goodies over the coming weeks....

My orders are finally finished for this year so I can now think about new designs for next year! With my first fair early in January it's going to be a very busy time...and with three fairs the first weekend in February it's going to be quite a challenge!! Can't wait....

Another doll based on the fabulous pattern by Maureen Mills of Sweetmeadows Farm. I love this design though the body shape is all she has in common with the original pattern and every one I make turns out differently!

I only ever make up enough body paint for one or two dolls at a time as I'm enjoying experimenting with different strengths and shades of paint. This then alters the way I paint the features and as I don't use a face pattern they are always going to be a little different from each other.

So once the face is painted this then governs the hairstyle. I really love this very curly wool, though it's not the easiest to manage! I have a bit of an aversion to using glue on these dolls so I tend to needlefelt the hair in place. The drawback to this is that it can be ripped out, though only if you pull hard!

Once the hair is done, it's just a question of making something suitable to dress her in. I always go for a simply designed outfit as she's not the type for lots of fuss and ruffles!